A late-night fire swept through a northern Indiana barn Oct. 25 killing a man and 22 horses he was hired to care for, police said.

John Lesniak, 60, died in the barn, which was fully engulfed in flames when police and firefighters arrived about 11 p.m. Thursday, said Merrillville police Sgt. Jeff Rice. After putting out the fire, firefighters found Lesniak’s burned body.

The Lake County coroner’s office said Lesniak died of smoke inhalation and extensive burns.
 
State Fire Inspector Jeff Roseboom said Lesniak was hired to work at the farm, and he lived on the second floor of the barn.

He said it was unclear if Lesniak was trying to free the horses when he died because the second floor collapsed during the blaze. Lesniak was found with a flashlight in his hand